Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

I bought a house 2 years ago. It was built in 2003. The basement has a sump pump pit but the knock outs or area where the tile would come in were never opened, so no sump pump has ever been installed. Last year I never had any issues with water, but this year I have had a few instances where water has came in through the seems. It has been minimal but I would like to finish the basement and stop this issue before it worsens. I have a few questions.

1.) Is there going to be drain tile on the other side of the sump pit?
2.) Will installing a sump pump eliminate this problem?
3.) I'm assuming I need to get a pump installed and plumbed before opening the pit up.

Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

The sump pit by itself, with some holes or slits in the sides and also a sump pump, will protect against basement flooding within an approximately four foot radius around it.

To get protection all the way around the basement you would normally need nearly horizontal drain tiles or perforated drain pipes aka a French drain all the way around the foundation under floor level, either just inside or just outside, those pipes emptying into the pit.

If the foundation and basement floor were built atop coarse gravel rather than sand or soil, the drainage into the pit may be fast enough to protect the entire basement without the need for perforated pipes.

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Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

The sump pit by itself, with some holes or slits in the sides and also a sump pump, will protect against basement flooding within an approximately four foot radius around it.

To get protection all the way around the basement you would normally need nearly horizontal drain tiles or perforated drain pipes aka a French drain all the way around the foundation under floor level, either just inside or just outside, those pipes emptying into the pit.

If the foundation and basement floor were built atop coarse gravel rather than sand or soil, the drainage into the pit may be fast enough to protect the entire basement without the need for perforated pipes.

I read somewhere that on newer houses they usually put perferated drain tile around the foundation and connect it to the sump pit. In a perfect world, I was hoping to cut into my sump pit and find these tiles on the other side. Is this likely?

Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

Quote:

Originally Posted by Standav

I read somewhere that on newer houses they usually put perferated drain tile around the foundation and connect it to the sump pit. In a perfect world, I was hoping to cut into my sump pit and find these tiles on the other side. Is this likely?

Most likely there are no drain tiles. But even if there were drain tiles, you might have to demolish much of the pit wall to find the tiles. You would not know at what depth any existing drain tiles would want to enter the pit nor where along the circumference of the pit the pipes are.

You might want to start looking for drain tiles by cutting the basement floor about three feet from the pit and against the foundation wall. Usually the drain tiles are against the foundation footing which in turn is probably 8 inches to a foot below the floor surface.

__________________(One morning on WRKO Radio) The tub's not clean! Let's remodel the bathroom.
(One afternoon on WRKO Radio) It's time for an oil change. I'm going to trade in the car for next year's model.

Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

A picture of the piping coming out of that pit will be needed---I bet that one contains your perimeter drain pipes----I know that it's sealed up---but opening it would give you the true answer--and not our guesses.

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Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

Well, I think your right. I never checked that because when I had the house inspected the inspector said that was for the removal of the waste for the bathroom that is in the basement. I'm assuming he didn't know what he was talking about, or did he? I guess if I have this working and only one point where water is seeping in, then I need to install a french drain or something.

Sump pump pit never opened to ground water

There is a vertical crack down my foundation. It is leaking water into the basement. I have read a lot about this but not sure the right path to take. I was assuming that if I opened the sump pit and pumped out ground water than it may stop. Here is a photo of the crack. Should I leave the sump alone, and focus on patching this crack (from outside or inside?) and adding drain tile?